MYSTERY IN SUSPENCE (A Crisis of Conjecture)

I am going to attempt to connect certain events from the worlds of various comics, movies, TV shows and pop culture into a hopefully logical narrative much like my Gorilla City thread. Each entry may not connect with the previous one.

After a tumultuous meeting, all seemed calmed as Iron Man and Captain America had left to see to their own affairs. Thor remained and spoke to Hercules about his latest battles and it was if everything was forgotten. Suddenly Jan returned from our microfilm room and went straight to our Olympian guest.

"Hercules, I was looking up your name after that eight years ago remark and I can't believe it!"

"Believe what, sweet fairy?"

"There was a Hercules in 1960 in METROPOLIS!"

"Oh, that."

"But it couldn't be you! There were pictures! That Hercules had red-hair!"

"Why look the same all the time!"

"That was you? But the article said that you were teleported from the past!"

"Ha! There was this very bitter, petty-minded 'genius' who hoped to use me to destroy his nemesis but fortunately I was informed of his plot by a 5th dimensional imp that I am on good terms with. It was too good to pass up on so I appeared when 'summoned' and quickly dealt with the knave."

"But it said that you tried to make off with that reporter that SUPERMAN was involved with!"

"Aye, he's done that before!"

"Peace, Thunder God! You know that I am a creature of passion and whim!"

"But Hercules! You're written as the bad guy! You tried to put Superman to sleep for a thousand years!"

"He irked me! But mayhaps I did go too far. Ah, well. Live and learn."

"That's all you got to say about it!"

"Nay, Good Giant, I was severely chastised by both my father and brethren. I fear that I lost a great deal of their trust! Still I sometimes show up as "that" Hercules to bedevil this Man of Steel. He hath no sense of mirth! Though, truth be told, as much as I love a good brawl, I would not make it a habit with that one! How my head pounded afterwards!"

You gonna work in the Hercules Unbound stuff? "Zounds! Verily did the son of Zeus have the weirdest dream last night! It seems that even the Prince of Power should not eat a Mega-Spicy Taco just before retiring for the evening!"

While on vacation in Los Angeles, Jan and I met up with Hercules and the BLACK WIDOW who were a couple by this point. They were part of the CHAMPIONS and an odd pairing, to say the least. We all were at a double-bill "thrill show" at the Coliseum where their team-mate, the GHOST RIDER was performing his amazing stunts, then we were all in awe of the other act, the escape artist, MISTER MIRACLE. Both seemed, for lack of a better word, otherworldly!

Jan and Natasha went off to find another couple, WARREN WORTHINGTON III and CANDY SOTHERN, leaving Herc and I alone. Actually I think that the Widow was still holding a grudge against me for opposing her membership the first time she wanted to join.

Anyway, Hercules asked me how I liked Mister Miracle's escapes.

"Unbelievable! And I was watching for switches, doubles and distractions! I can't figure out how he did all that!

"Pray tell, did you notice the woman beside him?"

"Of course, his wife, she was beautiful. And tall. And strong. And...and...oh no!"

"Oh, yes!! BARDA FREE is mine daughter, though she knows it not!"

"Hercules, the accord..."

"Does not count here. First she was born before it and second, she is not from Earth!"

"Not from Earth but then where?"

"A grim realm of war and oppression. Where they need heroes badly. And hope. I met her mother there as she tried to liberate her people. I tried to help but was forbidden to stay. Later I learned of her death and the birth of our daughter, her cruel upbringing and how this Scott Free rescued her and brought her to Earth."

"Then shouldn't we do something?"

"We cannot. Not now. But do not worry. Where there is darkness, there must also be light. There are forces in place to combat that vile world. Sadly, it is a stalemate but the balance is maintained. Not even the much-vaunted Man of Steel can affect that. We cannot affect it, save to make things worse. But that may change!"

"But Barda? Will you tell her who you are?""I may. Her husband has, what do you call it...ah yes, "daddy issues" and she would not trust me nor should she. But there is time for that later."

Report of Hidden Mystical Community by DANE WHITMAN, THE BLACK KNIGHT as requested by Captain America.

CLASSIFIED----LEVEL FIVE AVENGERS ONLY!!!

I arrived at HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHES AND WIZARDRY appropriately at midnight. Due to my credentials, the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has allowed me to speak to the subject of our concerns. I felt conspicuous in my armor but I felt that I had to make a strong impression. The students here were in awe of my Ebony Blade as it is one of the few weapons impervious to sorcery. Too bad I couldn't bring Aragorn! Strangely, the Headmaster would not accompany me to the lower level of the castle where the subject resides. I kept reminding him that this was just an interview but he was adamant that what was to occur was something he could not interfere with.

As I went further below the main floor, I was startled to hear footsteps behind me and thought that it was a curious student but when I turned, I was facing a grungy, blond man in a trenchcoat with an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips!

"Well, well, the Black Knight himself. I got proper company now!"

"Hello, friend. You have the advantage over me." I said extending my hand though the other rested on my sword.

"Sorry, gov, the name's CONSTANTINE or JOHN to be quick!"

"I heard of you. You're part of all this wizard world!"

"Nope, not this. Not my scene. Oh, this ain't my first time here but I'm as much as an outsider as you!"

"What's your stake in this then, if I may ask?"

"Same as yours, I'd say. Getting some reassurances about the future."

"I was sent by some pretty important people, John. Who sent you?"

"I sent meself, Mister Knight! Well, some others know I'm here."

"Dumbledore know you're here?"

"Oh, yeah. Me and Albus have some history. Threw me out of here twice before. But with style!"

"Why? Were you a student here?"

"Weren't you listening? No. But I did find out about this place when I was a lad. Ah, seventeen year old witches...those were the days! Anyway, said I was a bad influence and all that. My magic's not their cup of tea!"

"That actually jibes with what Stephen said about you."

"Oooo, the Great Doctor knows who I am! I'm honored!"

"Let's drop it. Does our friend below know you, too?"

"Enough to despise me, I figure."

"Wonderful. This is going well already!"

"No worries. Dumbledore said that we have to wait for the third member of our party anyway."

"Third?? Who? And how long?"

"No idea but he said that we got moments and decades for her to show up!"

Interesting stuff. I'm not familiar with the Rowlingvwerse. I'd be curious to see how one could rationalize it with "witches" like Samantha Steven's or Sabrina Spellman's people, or magical beings like Jeannie Nelson or Zatanna's homo magi.

We turned into a corridor from the main staircase when my newfound companion tapped my shoulder.

"We're supposed to wait here."

"John, I don't like games."

"Me neither but we got...hold on!"

At that moment, we heard a strange grinding noise, echoing throughout the chamber then a brilliant light flashed from the stairwell out of our sight, then went dark again like a door opening and closing! We were both at full alert, me with my sword drawn and John muttering some incantation. Light footsteps were coming down the stairs to where we were.

"Enough of this!" I shouted, "Who's there?"

"My, you're an odd pair" a soft voice answered, "Calm down boys. I won't hurt you if you behave."

Walking into our light was one of the most attractive women I've ever seen. She was a slim brunette wearing a tight-fitting leather-like jumpsuit that hugged her curves. She had a beautiful pair of eyes and a melodic voice. There was something familiar about her but she felt out of place.

"I gather you two are my escorts. I was told to expect a knight and a private eye type! I thought he was kidding but I guess not!" she said with a laugh that was both reassuring and seductive.

"We weren't told much about you but I'm John Constantine and this is the Black Knight of Camelot!"

"Or Dane if you prefer." I said a bit annoyed.

"Charmed. First things first, I know very little about when exactly I am but I'm assuming it's in the future. At least that's what the Doctor said."

"When you are? And what doctor?"

"Yes and it's THE Doctor."

"Oh bollocks, he's involved too?"

"Fraid so. You know him?"

"Depends. Which one sent you?"

"Brown curly hair, large nose, ridiculously long scarf..."

"Who are you talking about?" I asked.

"Yes we are." they replied.

"Now, look..."

"The Time Lord, mate, you must have heard of him with your pals."

"Yes when Kang tried for Wanda again when I was....away, the reports said that they were helped by someone they called the Doctor but he was described as a blond man with a garish suit and an abrasive personality."

"Doesn't sound like the same Doctor."

"Yeah, well, that's not important now." said John a bit abruptly. "Why didn't he come himself?"

"He said that the spells around this castle, I'll assume I'm still in England, made his entering the grounds difficult but not impossible but if he was going to expend that much energy, he'll bide his time for now. I have some experience for this task and since he could only send one person here, well here I am."

"And he can get you back?"

"Of course, he's waiting for me along with my partner. He wasn't happy about it but he was told that I wouldn't be alone. And I'm not!"

With that staggering bit of news, she sauntered down the stairs, missing the shocked expression on my face. That was the legend I knew though she was much older. Given the look on Constantine's face, he knew her too!

"My God, I was told that she was something else when she was younger but I had no idea!"

"Something is an understatement, mate. Maybe she'll stick around after this."